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The Gene

Dawn of the Modern Age of Genetics

Season 1 Episode 1 | 1hr 54m 09s

Part One interweaves the present-day story of the Rosens, a young family on an odyssey to find a cure for their four-year-old daughter’s rare genetic disease, with stories of the exciting discoveries of the early pioneers in genetics. This episode also tracks the dark period in human history when a little genetic knowledge was used to justify terrifying human experiments.

Aired: 04/06/20 | Expires: 05/05/20
Funding for KEN BURNS PRESENTS THE GENE: AN INTIMATE HISTORY has been provided by Genentech, 23andMe, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Gray Foundation, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) & Conquer Cancer Foundation, Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation, Craig and Susan McCaw Foundation, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Outreach and Education Partner is National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute. Outreach support is provided by Foundation Medicine.
Extras
Watch • 3:09
The Gene
The Gene Explained | The Gene That Transformed
What terrifying things go on inside of chrysalis, and what dark role do genes play?
Special: 3:09
Watch • 3:25
The Gene
The Gene Explained | Gene Damage
What goes on in our DNA to make us grow grey hair, wrinkles and less than healthy DNA?
Special: 3:25
Watch • 1:54:10
The Gene
Revolution in the Treatment of Disease
Part Two begins with the signature scientific achievement of our time.
Episode: S1 E2 | 1:54:10